Auirri 2022 is the second vintage of the village wine crafted by the prestigious Alma Carraovejas group from old vines located in Leza, in Rioja Alavesa. This red wine faithfully embodies the essence of its vineyards, nestled at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño, and reflects the unique character of the terroir. Its blend comes from various plots of old vines, mostly tempranillo, vinified separately to preserve the identity of each plot. The result is a wine that stands out for its expressiveness, elegance, and deep respect for its origin.
General features
General Information
Aiurri 2022, classified as Vino de Leza, captures the unique character of this enclave in Rioja Alavesa, located at the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño. It is sourced from small plots of old vineyards, spread across different altitudes, orientations, and soil types, which contribute to its great richness and complexity. The surrounding topography fosters an exceptional microclimate, where Atlantic and Mediterranean influences converge. In these vineyards, the predominant grape is tempranillo, blended with contributions of graciano, garnacha, white varieties, and other minority grapes. Each plot is vinified separately. The final blend reflects the purest viticultural essence of Leza.
The grapes were hand-harvested after an initial selection of clusters in the vineyard. Subsequently, in the winery, a double selection was carried out: first of clusters and then of individual berries. Gravity-fed winemaking allows for maximum respect for the raw material, and plot-specific vinification results in a red wine that combines the distinctive characteristics of each site. Spontaneous fermentations and gentle extractions with carefully controlled temperatures are employed.
Aiurri 2022 underwent a aging process of 16 months in French oak barrels of varying sizes. After the blending of plots, it completed its aging in concrete tanks for four months. Finally, it was bottled in the spring of 2024.
Alma Carraovejas, from the Ruiz Aragoneses family, is a group renowned worldwide for its iconic red wine Pago de Carraovejas, created in the D.O. Ribera del Duero.
From there, it began an expansion that led it to other designations of origin, such as the D.O.Ca. Rioja, where the Aiurri project was launched in the area of Leza, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Here, they work with small plots of old vineyards, some over a century old, to highlight the richness of this enclave.